June 5, 2008

Shortest probation term ever?

This AP story, which is interesting for various reasons, may set a record for the shortest probation term ever served. Here are the particulars:

At one point this year, Patricia Vincent faced up to 20 years in prison for hiring a company to chop down trees on national forest land next to her home to improve her view of Lake Tahoe. Instead, she ended up serving about 4 minutes of probation. "This case is unique, no matter how you cut it," Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Rachow said at Wednesday's sentencing hearing.

In fairness, Vincent, 57, of Incline Village, also performed more than 80 hours of community service and paid $100,000 in restitution as part of a deal in which she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully cutting trees on U.S. land.

The short probation period was a legal technicality resulting from the fact that she had already paid the restitution and completed the community service by the time she arrived in federal court for sentencing in Reno. The plea deal dictated that upon completion of those requirements, the probation would be suspended.